Tuesday, September 26, 2017

More Archives Cards. Yes, Cardinals.

I have already covered all sorts of Cardinals autographs that I have picked up from this year's Archives set, but haven't really touched any non-Cardinals from the yearly Topps product.  So, I actually have recently ended up with a non-Cardinal.....and two other players with connections to the Cardinals.  The Archives autograph checklist was deep for the Cardinals this year, even if the former Cardinals players appear in other uniforms.  

Non-Cardinal first.  I liked this card because it was an Expo and......


I have always really enjoyed the design of the 1986 Topps cards.  I tend to like the Archives cards a little better when the player and card design match, Alou is a 1990s and 2000s player, but I was willing to overlook it here based on price and the fact that everyone digs finding Expos cards.  Alou was a nice player too, even if he spent a lot of his career successfully hitting baseballs off of Cardinals pitchers.  

Card back.   



Very nice.  Next up is a former Cardinals Rookie of the Year and owner of a cool unibrow....




Moon is probably best remembered for his years with the Dodgers, which took place in the late 1950s and early 1960s when the team first moved to the West Coast.  The Dodgers played briefly in the Los Angeles Coliseum while Dodger Stadium was being built.  It had unique dimensions which Moon took advantage of.....



by trying to hit the ball at the short left-field fence which also featured a high screen.  In 1959, Moon had 19 home runs, 11 triples, and 26 doubles.  Many of them involved that short porch in left.  While he was with the Cardinals, Moon won the 1954 Rookie of the Year Award with a .304 average, 12 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 18 steals.  

Card back.  



Last card.  Also a former Cardinals player.  




Tito Francona spent 6 years with the Indians and 3 years with the Braves.  The rest of his career was spent seven other teams which included the Cardinals, Orioles, Athletics, Phillies, Tigers, Brewers, and White Sox.  The Indians used him as a starter and he had a few nice years playing everyday.  In 1959, in 122 games, he hit .363/.414/.566 with 20 home runs.  After his time in Cleveland, he ended up in St. Louis where the Cardinals used him as a reserve corner outfielder and first baseman.  Basically the same things as Terry Francona as a player.  

Card back 


This card is the blue framed parallel, so we have the serial number on the back of the card.  Overall, very happy with my three new Archives cards.  

1 comment:

  1. Moon was the first 2017 Archives Fan Favorite autograph I added to my collection. I'm so glad they included him on the checklist. Now if they can get Don Mossi to sign for them.

    ReplyDelete

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